Device for bending roofing-plates



(No Model.)

B. F. CALDWELL.

7 DEVICE FOR BBNDING ROOFING PLATES. No. 329,713. Patented Nov. 3, 1 885.

. l zox UNITED STATES BENJAMIN F. CALDlVELL, OF WVI'IEELING, \VEST VIRGINIA.

PATENT OFFICE.

DEVICE FOR BENDING' ROOFING-PLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 329,713, dated November 3, 1885.

Application filed June 1, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. CALD- WELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of \Vest Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Bending Metal Roofing-Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to those appliances which are employed to bend or turn the edges of plates at right angles to the bodies of the plates to form flanges, which serve to unite the sheet-metal plates comprising the roof.

It is customary for manufacturers to furnish purchasers with tongs of expensive construction for bending or turning the metal in applying the roofing to the buildings, and the purchaser of the roofing material must become responsible for the safe return of the tongs within a specified time.

It is the object of my invention to provid a strong, durable, and efficient device for bending the metal, of such cheap construction that it can be gratuitously given to purchasers of the roofing material.

To such end my invention consists in a tool for bending or turning the edges of metal roofing-plates, composed of a head, a handle secured thereto, and two jaws rigidly and immovabl y attached to the head, with their outer longitudinal edges slightly separated, to admit the edge of the metal plate, said jaws being provided with interior surfaces converging from the head in an outward direction to constitute an approximately V-shaped passageway between the jaws, whereby the said inner surfaces will not bind against the metal in bending the latter.

The invention consists of other features, which will be fully hereinafter described, and specifically set forth in the claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 00 x of Fig. 2.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now de- Serial No. 167,205. (Noniodel.

scribe the same in detail, reference being made to the drawings, in which- The numeral 1 indicates the head of the tool, consisting of a wooden bar, to which is attached, midway between its ends, a wooden handle, 2, which is applied by providing it with a tenon inserted into a mortise in the head. To the opposite sides of the head are rigidly and immovably attached, by screws 3 or otherwise, two jaws, 4, having their outer longitudinal edges slightly separated to create a space for the introduction of the edge of the metal roofing-plate. The inner surfaces of the jaws converge from the head in an outward direction, for the purpose of providing an approximately V-shaped space or passageway, 5, between the jaws, in such manner that such inner surfaces will not bind against the metal in turning or bending the edge thereof at right angles to its body portion. The V-shaped space or passage-way is preferably produced by constructing the head of wedge shape in cross-section to form beveled sides 6, to which the jaws are attached, thereby causing them to approach each other toward their outer longitudinal edges. The inner edge of the head, which constitutes the top wall of the V- shaped passage-way, is shod with a metallic plate, 7, which extends longitudinally along the head, and is bent at its extremities upon the ends of the head, and there secured by screws, nails, or other fastening devices,8. The object of this metal shoe is to serve as a stop or abutment to the introduction of the metal roofing-plate, and also to prevent the edge of sired, the beveled ends of the jaws can be shod with metal; but I have not illustrated this, for the reason that I do not consider it essential to the practical use of the tool.

By constructing the tool from wood in the manner set forth and shown I provide a device which can be so cheaply manufactured as to permit it to be gratuitously furnished; to purchasers of the roofing material for the purpose of bending or turning the edges of the metal plates in constructing what are known in the art as standing seams.

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim is 1. A tool for bending metal roofing-plates, consisting of a head, a handle fixed thereto, and twojaws rigidly and immovably connected with the head, and having their inner surfaces converging from the head toward the edge of the jaws, substantially as described.

2. A tool for bending metal roofing-plates, consisting of a head having beveled sides, an attached handle, and two jaws rigidly and immovably secured to the beveled sides of the head, substantially as described.

B. F. CALDWELL.

Witnesses:

DAVID H. BAYHA, R. DUNN. 

